9.0     Core Environmental Public Health Indicators for the U.S. - Mexico Border Region

Considering the material presented above, and that highlighted in the box summaries, we have outlined a process and conducted an initial review of available indicator sets to propose a core for the Environmental Health Working Group of the U.S. – Mexico Border Program.  The basic purpose of this selection is aimed at the goal of providing information to support the better functioning of environmental health services in this region.  The primary scale at which we have targeted the application of this objective is that of the local – regional environmental health level, which is the sister cities areas for the Border region:  the people working at these levels represent the foundation of any environmental health improvement in the future.  Following this logic, it is essential first to have a clear understanding of the needs of individuals and agencies at this level, as well as a precise comprehension of what types of information these individuals and agencies can (i.e. capacities) and will use.  We feel that although a good general understanding of these situations may be known (PAHO, Encuesta, 2001), a more detailed assessment would be helpful.  A user needs assessment, similar to some recent reviews conducted in Canada (e.g. Federal/Provincial/Territorial CEOH, 2000) on such issues as access to data, availability of information, etc. is therefore recommended for this region to support the development and implementation of an appropriate surveillance program, including its training and tools component. 

 

A pro forma selection of core indicators was then presented at the meeting in El Paso for illustration purposes only, based on the authors’ appreciation of criteria.  The July 26-27 work session then followed a similar process (outlined below) to determine the final draft core group of indicators and suggest adaptations to the document.